Christmas in Bayberry

Wes didn’t ask, but he wondered if things had changed between Penney and Fred. She certainly seemed devoted to his care. And Wes didn’t think that would be the case if they were really just coworkers. But it was none of his concern. He had bigger things on his mind—like finishing this assignment and getting back to the city.

But as much as he needed to get back to New York, there was another part of him that wasn’t anxious to leave. He could easily imagine remaining here in Bayberry until the New Year. After all, he did have weeks of unused vacation time.

The mayor, Mrs. Woodard, climbed up on a small podium. “Welcome to this year’s tree lighting ceremony.”

She went on to thank each and every member of the decorating committee. Mrs. Woodard did not hurry at all. Her speech was slow and enunciated. Her snow-white hair was trimmed short, with every strand in place, as though it wouldn’t dream of misbehaving. She wore large pearl earrings.

Wes tuned her out as she droned on about all of these people he didn’t know. For lack of anything else to focus on, he studied the mayor. She wore just a hint of makeup and red lipstick. Her attire was prim and proper. She wore a black dress coat that stopped short of her knees. A large Christmas tree-shaped brooch sparkled in the spotlight. And instead of snow boots, Mrs. Woodward wore sturdy dress shoes. She was definitely a bit on the formal side for Bayberry.

She looked a bit familiar, but he couldn’t quite place her in his memories. Maybe it was the way her eyes lit up when she spoke of the holidays. It reminded him of his mother. Just like Kate, this was his mother’s favorite time of the year. If only his Christmas wish to have her here could somehow come true. She’d love it.

But she had plans for the holiday this year. She was looking forward to a Christmas cruise with her friends. She’d be fine. Besides, he had work to do and a promotion was within reach.

Next year would be different. Next year, he’d be a corporate AVP and his mother would live in the same city. Hope pumped in his veins. Next year, he’d be able to take his mother to the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. The thought made a smile play at the corners of his lips. Next year, he wouldn’t spend Christmas alone.

“Sorry she keeps going on and on,” Kate whispered in his ear.

He leaned over to her and whispered back, “I’m used to it. My boss is the same way.”

And then he realized he wasn’t spending this Christmas alone. He continued looking at Kate, wondering what he’d done to deserve a second chance, of sorts, with her. And then a thought came to him.

He leaned close again. “Do they still have the Candlelight Dance on Christmas Eve?”

“They do. I’m surprised you remember that.”

“I never got to go, but I just might this year.” His nerve wavered. He shouldn’t ask her. After all, it wasn’t as though he was going to be around after the holidays. Why start something that he wouldn’t be able to finish?

“You should,” she said, interrupting his thoughts. When he looked at her in confusion, she added, “You should go to the dance.”

Was she asking him to the dance?

He gave himself a mental shake. Of course she wasn’t. He was just letting his imagination get the best of him.

He shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve got two left feet.”

“That’s the best excuse you can come up with?” When he shrugged, she said, “You do know you don’t have to have a date.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “I’m going solo. Lots of people do it.”

She was going solo? How odd. “I would think you’d have your choice of dates.”

It was her turn to shrug. “I’m not interested.”

He sensed there was more to it than she was letting on. “Want to talk about it?”

Kate fidgeted with her purse strap. “There’s not much to say. I dated this guy for almost a year. I thought we were happy here in Bayberry. But when Andy got a job offer in Chicago, he accepted it without even talking to me. He expected me to give up my life here and follow him.”

So she was suffering from a broken heart. He couldn’t believe a guy would choose a job over Kate. Andy sounded a lot like his father—chasing his dream and forgetting that moving involved more than just himself.

Wes sympathized. “You had roots in Bayberry and he wanted you to just drop everything—job, commitments and friends?”

“Yes. Exactly.”